Solubilization of a stereospecific opiate-macromolecular complex from rat brain.

A [3H]etorphine-macromolecular complex has been solubilized from rat brain synaptosomal fraction by extraction with the nonionic detergent Brij 36T. Stereospecificity of binding to this solubilized complex was demonstrated by the finding that radioactivity in the complex was virtually eliminated when binding had occurred in the presence of excess levorphanol, an active narcotic analgesic, while it was unaffected by its inactive enantiomorph dextrorphan. Bound radioactivity was dissociated by proteolytic enzymes, sulfhydryl reagents, and heat, suggesting the presence of protein. The bound solubilized macromolecular moiety may be the opiate receptor.

Opioid agonist efficacy predicts the magnitude of tolerance and the regulation of mu-opioid receptors and dynamin-2.

It has been proposed that opioid agonist efficacy may play a role in tolerance and the regulation of opioid receptor density. To address this issue, the present studies estimated the in vivo efficacy of three opioid agonists and then examined changes in spinal mu-opioid receptor density following chronic treatment in the mouse. In addition, tolerance and regulation of the trafficking protein dynamin-2 were determined. To evaluate efficacy, the method of irreversible receptor alkylation was employed and the efficacy parameter tau estimated. Mice were injected with the irreversible mu-opioid receptor antagonist clocinnamox (0.32-25.6 mg/kg, i.p), and 24 h later, the analgesic potency of s.c. morphine, oxycodone and etorphine were determined. Clocinnamox dose-dependently antagonized the analgesic effects of morphine, etorphine and oxycodone. The shift to the right of the dose-response curves was greater for morphine and oxycodone compared to etorphine and the highest dose of clocinnamox reduced the maximal effect of morphine and oxycodone, but not etorphine. The order of efficacy calculated from these results was etorphine>morphine>oxycodone. Other mice were infused for 7 days with oxycodone (10-150 mg/kg/day, s.c.) or etorphine (50-250 microg/kg/day, s.c.) and the analgesic potency of s.c. morphine determined. The low efficacy agonist (oxycodone) produced more tolerance than the high efficacy agonist (etorphine) at equi-effective infusion doses. In saturation binding experiments, the low efficacy opioid agonists (morphine, oxycodone) did not regulate the density of spinal mu-opioid receptors, while etorphine produced approximately 40% reduction in mu-opioid receptor density. Furthermore, etorphine increased spinal dynamin-2 abundance, while oxycodone did not produce any significant change in dynamin-2 abundance. Overall, these data indicate that high efficacy agonists produce less tolerance at equi-effective doses. Furthermore, increased efficacy was associated with mu-opioid receptor downregulation and dynamin-2 upregulation. Conversely, lower efficacy agonists produced more tolerance at equi-effective doses, but did not regulate mu-opioid receptor density or dynamin-2 abundance. Taken together, these studies indicate that agonist efficacy plays an important role in tolerance and regulation of receptors and trafficking proteins.

Binding of opioids to human MCF-7 breast cancer cells and their effects on growth.

The well characterized human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, has been shown to possess membrane receptors for various opioid ligands, and these compounds have been shown to modulate the growth of the cells in culture. Using specific radioligands for the receptor types, we were able to demonstrate that the MCF-7 cells possess multiple opioid receptor types. Relatively high-affinity-binding sites are present for the mu- and kappa-specific ligands, while lower affinity sites are present for the delta-agonist. Opioid ligands specific for the different receptor types significantly inhibited the growth of the MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner when grown in the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum. This inhibitory effect was reversed by the simultaneous administration of the opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone. However, the opioid effect appears to be restricted to the hormonally responsive fraction of the MCF-7 cell growth. Cells grown in the presence of charcoal-stripped fetal bovine serum are refractory to the effects of the opioids unless the media is supplemented with estradiol. The data presented here suggest an important regulatory role for opioids in the growth and development of human breast cancers.

Physical characterization of native opiate receptors. Additional information from detailed binding analysis of a radiation-inactivated receptor.

Target size analyses of the etorphine receptor were performed on frozen rat brain P2 homogenates using the radiation inactivation technique. Multi-point saturation curves at each radiation dose revealed that the apparent dissociation constant for the binding of this ligand to its receptor is a function of the dose. Analysis of the results shows clearly that the ligand-binding macromolecule is functionally coupled to at least one other macromolecule. When the coupling is destroyed the ligand dissociation constant becomes larger by over an order of magnitude. Thus, the variation of the dissociation constant with dose yields interesting new information on the nature of the native receptor which has implications with respect to the conformation of the binding site and to solubilization and cloning methods directed towards sequencing the ligand-binding component of opiate receptors.

Inactivation and solubilization of opiate receptors by phospholipases A2.

(1) As previously shown, stereospecific binding of opiates to membrane bound receptors is inhibited by treatment with small amounts of phospholipase A2 from Vipera russelli. This effect is quantified and compared with the enzymes from the venoms of Naja Naja siamensis, Apis Mellifica and from porcine pancreas. All enzymes are equally effective. The inhibition is due to partial phospholipid hydrolysis leading to inactivation of membrane-bound receptor. (2) Bee venom phospholipase A2 together with the synergistically acting peptide, melittin, causes receptor solubilization up to 80% of preformed receptor-ligand complex can be solubilized in this manner. (3) Lysophosphatidylcholine, a product of phospholipid hydrolysis, solubilizes performed receptor-ligand complex to a similar extent. Several other detergents were tested for their ability to solubilize receptor-ligand complex. Digitonin appears to be most effective in solubilizing such a complex.

Opiate receptors are present in the rat testis. Identification and localization in Sertoli cells.

We have characterized opioid binding sites in the Sertoli cells of adult and 18-day-old rat testes. Maximal specific etorphine binding was attained after 30 min at 4 C. The binding was reversible, with association and dissociation rate constants of 0.98 X 10(5) M-1 min-1 and 0.33 min-1, respectively. Scatchard analyses and saturation curves revealed a single class of high-affinity, low-capacity binding sites. No opioid binding was observed in Leydig cell cultures. Exposure to opioids for 3 days caused a significant increase in [3H]etorphine specifically bound to the Sertoli cells that was completely prevented by naloxone, demonstrating opioid up-regulation of its own receptor. Chronic opioid treatment of the cultures significantly inhibited androgen-binding protein production, and this effect was prevented by naloxone. Since the circulating concentrations of endorphins (10(-12) M) are lower than the Kd of testis opiate receptors, it is conceivable that opioids of Leydig cell origin act on the specific high-affinity receptors of the Sertoli cells, and may play a role in modulating their function.

Opiate receptor subtypes in the rat hypothalamus and neurointermediate lobe.

The potent opiate radioligands [3H]etorphine, [3H]ethylketocyclazocine (EKC), and [3H]naloxone, bound specifically and saturably to a single class of membrane-binding sites in rat neurointermediate lobe (NIL), with Kd values of 3.7, 24, and 51 nM, respectively. In the hypothalamus (Ht), [3H]etorphine bound to specific and saturable sites with a Kd of 2.9 nM. Binding-inhibition studies with [3H]etorphine and unlabeled etorphine-HCl as well as [3H]EKC and unlabeled EKC, revealed high and low affinity binding sites in rat Ht and NIL as well as in the neural lobe of the bovine pituitary gland. [3H]naloxone also bound specifically to two classes of sites in Ht membranes, but to only a single class of low affinity sites in NIL membranes. Specific binding represented 80-90% of total [3H]etorphine binding, about 75% of total [3H]EKC binding, and 45-55% of total [3H]naloxone binding at 22 C in NIL and Ht, respectively. Relative binding potencies derived from Ki values for binding-inhibition studies of [3H]etorphine with opioid peptides and opiates were: NIL, etorphine-HCl greater than dynorphin A greater than naloxone-HCl greater than dynorphin-(1-9) greater than beta-endorphin much greater than alpha-neoendorphin approximately (Leu5)enkephalin approximately DAGO (Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-NMe-Phe-Gly-ol); Ht, etorphine HCl greater than naloxone-HCl greater than beta-endorphin greater than dynorphin A much greater than DAGO greater than morphiceptin much greater than (Leu5)enkephalin. Specific [3H]etorphine binding was also demonstrable after preincubation of NIL membranes with DAGO and (Leu5)enkephalin and after preincubation of Ht membranes with morphiceptin and (Leu5)enkephalin; such binding could be displaced by nonradioactive dynorphin A. In addition, [3H]etorphine binding to bovine neural lobe was displaceable by naloxone-HCl, with an ED50 of 43 nM. Specific ligands for sigma-opiate receptors, such as (+)SKF 10,047 (N-allylnorcyclazocine), phencyclidine (PCP), and (-)cyclazocine, displaced specifically bound [3H]etorphine and [3H]EKC from NIL membranes only at high (micromolar) concentrations. However, specific [3H]PCP sites were of higher affinity in NIL and Ht membranes, with similar Kd values of 102 and 190 nM respectively, and different concentrations (0.15 and 1.32 pmol/mg protein, respectively). These data have revealed several differences in the opiate-binding properties of rat Ht and NIL membranes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Inhibition of luteinizing hormone release by morphine and endogenous opiates in cultured pituitary cells.

Morphine sulfate was found to have a direct inhibitory effect on both basal and GnRH-stimulated LH release by cultured rat pituitary cells. The inhibitory effect of morphine on LH release was prevented by the opiate antagonist naltrexone, and treatment of cells with naltrexone or beta-endorphin antiserum significantly increased basal LH release. Also, incubation of pituitary cells with CRF caused a significant decrease in basal LH release, an effect that was reversed by naltrexone. Saturable opiate-binding sites were demonstrated in enriched gonadotrophs by [3H]etorphine binding studies. The ability of morphine to inhibit gonadotropin secretion through a direct action on pituitary opiate receptors suggests that long term exposure to exogenous opiates may suppress reproductive function at the hypophyseal level. In addition, the converse effects of CRF and naltrexone or beta-endorphin antiserum on LH release indicate that intrapituitary opioid peptides could exert a paracrine inhibitory action on the gonadotroph.

Receptors and secretory actions of sigma/phencyclidine agonists in anterior pituitary cells.

Opiate receptor subtypes in the adenohypophysis were analyzed by binding studies with tritiated etorphine, phencyclidine (PCP), and N-allylnormetazocine [(+)SKF 10,047] in anterior pituitary cell (AC) cultures and membranes, and in cell populations separated by centrifugal elutriation. In cultured AC, specific binding of [3H]etorphine revealed two sets of saturable sites with Kd values of 5 nM and about 10 microM. The high affinity [3H]etorphine sites were present in low concentration and represent specific opiate receptors that mediate the direct inhibitory actions of etorphine and morphine on LH release in vitro. The more abundant low affinity sites, observed in the presence of higher concentrations of unlabeled opiates, exhibited the properties of sigma/PCP receptors. In intact AC and pituitary membranes, specific [3H]PCP binding was saturable with respect to labeled and unlabeled ligand concentrations, and Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of relatively high affinity [3H]PCP-binding sites (Kd = 98 nM in pituitary membranes). Relative potencies derived from inhibition of [3H]PCP binding in AC by PCP-related drugs were: (-) cyclazocine greater than dexoxadrol greater than N-[1-(2-Thienyl)cyclohexil]piperidine greater than PCP greater than (+)SKF 10,047 greater than levaxodral greater than (+)cyclazocine less than (-)SKF 10,047 greater than (+)ethylketocyclazocine greater than haloperidol greater than (-)ethylketocyclazocine. In elutriated pituitary cells, specific [3H]PCP binding was correlated with the LH content of the individual cell fractions. The binding of (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 was also specific and saturable in AC and anterior pituitary membranes, which contained two classes of binding sites with Kd values of 87 nM and 3.3 microM. In fractionated pituitary cells, specific binding of (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 was similar in enriched lactotrophs and gonadotrophs. The high affinity class of (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047-binding sites probably corresponds to sigma-receptors, and the low affinity class to PCP receptors. In contrast to the inhibitory actions of opiates on LH release in vitro, PCP and (+)SKF 10,047 stimulated LH release in cultured AC and enhanced the secretory responses to GnRH as well as KCl. The stimulation of LH release by PCP was dependent on extracellular calcium and is probably related to increased transmembrane calcium influx. The stimulatory sites may correspond to selective sigma/PCP receptors, and could represent a distinct nonopiate receptor subtype with the potential for modulation of gonadotropin secretion.

Effect of age on sensitivity to pain and brain opiate receptors.

Age-related differences in sensitivity to pain as induced by heat and electrical shock were seen among groups of rats; 2-3, 6-12, and 24 months of age. These are differences were at least partially obliterated by naloxone treatment, suggesting that changes may occur in the endogenous opioid system during aging. In contrast to higher pain thresholds in older animals, however, are decreased concentrations of opiate receptors in the frontal poles, striatum and hippocampus. Anterior cortex and amygdala exhibit a trend toward decreased concentration with increased age, but this is not significant. No age changes in binding affinity occur in any of the brain regions examined. Possible explanations for the apparent discrepancy between altered receptors and response include: higher endogenous opioid levels in aged rats, mediation of pain sensitivity by brain regions other than those examined, difficulties inherent in attempting to localize age changes at a single step in such a complex process, and possibly differential spinal pathways mediating the various types of pain.

Solubilization in high yield of opioid receptors retaining high-affinity delta, mu and kappa binding sites.

The binding sites for opiates (agonist and antagonist) and opioid peptides can be solubilized from rat brain membranes with digitonin in the presence of Mg2+ (10 mM). High affinity and high capacity binding to the soluble delta, mu, and kappa receptors is obtainable when the membranes are treated in Mg2+ (30 degrees C, 60 min) prior to solubilization. The yields of solubilized binding sites extracted with digitonin, 40-90%, are higher than those obtained from Mg2+-pretreated membranes with other detergents commonly used for receptor solubilization. The stability of the digitonin-soluble opioid receptor at room temperature makes it useful for purification and characterization.

Replacement of Gln280 by His in TM6 of the human ORL1 receptor increases affinity but reduces intrinsic activity of opioids.

The ORL1 (Opioid Receptor-Like) receptor is the G protein-coupled receptor whose amino acid sequence is closest to those of opioid receptors. Residues that are conserved in ORL1 and the three types of opioid receptor, but also a residue, His in the sixth putative transmembrane (TM6) helix, which is present in all opioid receptor types but absent in ORL1, appear to play a key role in receptor recognition and/or activation. Here we have sought to create an opioid binding pocket in the non-opioid ORL1 receptor by replacing residue Gln280 in its TM6 by the corresponding His residue of opioid receptors. The mutation affects neither the affinity of nociceptin - the natural ORL1 agonist - for the receptor, nor the potency of nociceptin to inhibit adenylyl cyclase via ORL1. In contrast, we find that a few opioid ligands, the agonists lofentanil, etorphine and dynorphin A, and especially the antagonists diprenorphine and nor-BNI, bind the mutant Q280H receptor with substantially (5- to > 100-fold) higher apparent affinity than they do the wild-type receptor. Moreover, lofentanil and etorphine no longer act as pure agonists, as they do at the native ORL1 receptor, but are endowed with clear antagonist properties at the mutant receptor. The mutation Q280H, which increases affinity while decreasing intrinsic activity of opioids at ORL1, emphasizes the importance of the His residue for opioid recognition and activation.

Agonist-induced signaling and trafficking of the mu-opioid receptor: role of serine and threonine residues in the third cytoplasmic loop and C-terminal domain.

The human mu-opioid receptor and a mutant form, muS/ T[i3+Cter]A, in which all Ser and Thr residues from the third cytoplasmic loop and C-terminal domain were changed to Ala, were studied after expression in CHO-K1 cells. Although the mutant receptors had similar affinities for agonists and EC50 values for inhibition of adenylyl cyclase as compared to wild-type receptors, the Emax were almost 2-fold decreased, suggesting a role of the mutated residues in G-protein coupling. After chronic morphine or etorphine, the EC50 values of the agonists were about 5-fold increased at both receptors but the Emax values were not altered; upon agonist withdrawal forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels were increased to almost 200% of control levels. Sequestration and rapid down-regulation of the mu-opioid receptor were induced by DAGO and etorphine but not morphine. In contrast, the muS/T[i3+Cter]A receptor was not sequestered and was up-regulated (150-380%) after treatment with agonists. The results indicate that the Ser and Thr residues in the third cytoplasmic loop and C-terminus of the mu-opioid receptor are not involved in the limited desensitization or in the adenylyl cyclase superactivation promoted by agonists but that their integrity and/or their phosphorylation is required in the intricate and coordinately regulated pathways involved in receptor signaling and trafficking.

Interaction between [3H]ethylketocyclazocine and [3H]etorphine and opioid receptors in membranes from rat brain. A kinetic analysis.

Scatchard analysis of the binding to opioid receptors of [3H]ethylketocyclazocine ([3H]EKC) and [3H]etorphine at equilibrium yielded biphasic plots and computer fitting of the data resulted in a minimal model of two independent saturable binding sites. The KD values for the high- and low-affinity sites were 0.58 and 38 nM for [3H]EKC, and 0.13 and 22 nM for [3H]etorphine. The corresponding density of binding sites was 157 and 418 fmol/mg protein for [3H]EKC, and 220 and 289 fmol/mg protein for [3H]etorphine. The KD values calculated from the association and dissociation rate constants corresponded to those observed at equilibrium. In the course of equilibrium binding, various opioids competed with [3H]EKC and [3H]etorphine preferentially at the high-affinity opioid receptor sites. No difference between the competition patterns of putative mu and kappa ligands was observed. The kinetics of association and dissociation of [3H]EKC and [3H]etorphine revealed that the apparently homogeneous high-affinity binding site observed at equilibrium consisted of two components characterized by their fast and slow equilibrium times, respectively. While none of the mu and kappa opiates investigated altered the rate of dissociation of [3H]EKC or [3H]etorphine, in the presence of sodium ions the rapidly dissociating binding component of [3H]etorphine became refractory to inhibition by mu but not kappa agonists. The results underline the advantages of evaluating both equilibrium binding and the kinetics of ligand-receptor interactions.

Electrophilic alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone and isothiocyanate opioid ligands related to etorphine.

Isothiocyanate and alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone analogues of 6,14-endo-ethenotetrahydrothebaine and -oripavine were prepared with the electrophilic groups being located at C-19 in the C-7 alpha-side chain. Isothiocyanates were prepared in the N-Me and N-CPM (N-cyclopropylmethyl) series, both as the phenols and 3-O-methyl ethers from the diastereomeric amines formed from reductive amination of thevinone (2) and N-(cyclopropylmethyl)northevinone (13). Although addition of the organozinc reagent from methyl alpha-bromomethacrylate to 25 failed, addition to 3-O-protected aldehydes 27 and 35 produced, after subsequent deprotection, alpha-methylene-gamma-lactones 29 and 37, respectively. In the opioid receptor displacement assays against [3H]bremazocine as the radiolabeled ligand, the phenolic compounds were most potent with N-CPM isothiocyanates 20 and 21 showing IC50s of 0.32 and 0.76 nM, respectively, and N-CPM alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone 37 having an IC50 = 1.0 nM. Compound 37 showed irreversible effects in the binding assay which were mu-selective, as demonstrated by analogous experiments using [3H]DAGO, and naloxone was found to protect against the irreversible effects. This observation suggests that a receptor-bound nucleophile is located at a position where it can readily reach the alpha-methylene group of lactone 37.

Dopamine and opiate receptors: localization in the striatum and evidence for their axoplasmic transport in the nigrostriatal and striatonigral pathways.

The axoplasmic transport of dopamine and opiate receptors in the striatonigral and nigrostriatal pathways was investigated by placing coronal knife cuts through these pathways and examining autoradiographically the accumulation of receptors at the site of the cut. In otherwise normal animals build-up of both receptors was found both rostral and caudal to the cut after a survival time of 24 h. Build-up of both receptors was reduced caudal to the cut by prior 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the substantia nigra-ventral tegmental area, and reduced rostral to the cut by prior kainic acid lesions of the striatum. In addition, it was found by both autoradiographic and membrane binding methods that kainic acid lesions of the striatum produced a larger reduction of striatal opiate compared with dopamine receptors. The results suggest that opiate and dopamine receptors are axonally transported in fibers of both the nigrostriatal and striatonigral pathways possibly to their respective presynaptic terminals. The differential sensitivity of opiate and dopamine receptors in the striatum to local kainic acid lesions suggests the preferential localization of postsynaptic opiate receptors on dendritic trunks and neuronal somata, whereas the major localization of postsynaptic dopamine receptors may be on striatal dendritic spines, which to some extent appear to survive the lesions.

Subcellular distribution of etorphine in rat brain and evidence for in vitro stereospecific binding.

1 Control experiments were carried out by homogenizing rat brain at 0 degrees C with sucrose containing various concentrations of [3H]-etorphine. Subcellular fractionation of this homogenate showed that the distribution of the labelled drug amongst the primary fractions was dependent on the concentration of etorphine in the homogenate. 2 Rats were injected intravenously with 0.2 and 20 microgram/kg of [3H]-etorphine. The brains were homogenized and fractionated in sucrose containing 4.2 x 10(-5) M unlabelled etorphine in order to control redistribution artifacts. Different distribution profiles in the subcellular fractions were observed at these two dose levels. 3 Concurrent administration of either cyprenorphine or naloxone with intravenous etorphine, caused a shift of the labelled drug from the P3 fraction to the supernatant fraction. 4 The subcellular distribution of intravenously administered [3H]-etorphine was also studied by homogenizing brains in etorphine-free sucrose, and sucrose containing either levorphanol or dextrorphan. From these experiments it was concluded that the P3 microsomal fraction is a major site to which in vivo etorphine is stereospecifically bound in the rat brain.

Comparison of the binding characteristics of tritiated opiates and opioid peptides.

1 Binding assays on homogenates of guinea-pig brain showed that the maximal number of binding sites was different tritiated ligands interacting with the opiate receptors. 2 At 25 degrees C the binding capacity of morphine or dihydromorphine was only about 3 pmol/g fresh brain whereas etorphine and D-Ala2-L-Leu5- and D-Ala2-L-Met5-enkephalin amide had capacities of 13 to 15 pmol/g brain. D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin had an intermediate capacity of about 6 pmol/g brain. 3 The binding capacities of the natural methionine- and leucine-enkephalins measured at 0 degrees C were 5 to 6 pmol/g brain. At this temperature, the binding capacity of dihydromorphine, D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin and of the two enkephalin amides was only slightly lower than at 25 degrees C. 4 In assays in which unlabelled ligand competed with the same labelled ligand, the inhibition constants (KI) were equal to or not more than twice as large as the equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) determined in saturation assays. In contrast, the KI of unlabelled dihydromorphine against [3H]-D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin or of unlabelled D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin against [3H]-dihydromorphine was about 20 times higher than the respective KD values. 5 When for a given compound the ratio of the KI value against [3H]-D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin to the KI value against [3H]-dihydromorphine (discrimination ratio) is calculated, a high value indicates selectivity in favour of the mu-receptor and a low value selectivity in favour of the delta-receptor. The most selective mu-agonist known so far is normorphine with a discrimination ratio of 70 and the most selective delta-agonist is D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin with a ratio of 0.11. The selectivity of the known antagonists is in favour of the mu-receptor, since their discrimination ratios are larger than 1, varying between 10 for naloxone and 4 for Mr 2266.

Desipramine modulation of sigma and opioid peptide receptor expression in glial cells.

Exposure of C6 glial cell cultures to desipramine induced the appearance of opioid receptors and up-regulated sigma receptors. Opioid binding was demonstrated with 3H-etorphine and 3H-dihydromorphine (DHM), but was not observed with the mu, delta and kappa ligands 3H-DAMGE, 3H-DADLE or 3H-(-)ethylketocyclazocine in the presence of specific blockers, respectively. Competition experiments with 3H-DHM and either (-)naloxone or (+)naloxone indicated the presence of authentic opioid receptors. In similar studies with beta-endorphin, its truncated form (1-27) or their N-acetyl derivatives, beta-endorphin proved to have the highest affinity. Opioid receptors in glial cell aggregates were primarily kappa, with few mu and delta sites. Desipramine increased Bmax values for kappa but not mu and delta.

Etorphine pharmacokinetics in the rat: experimental data and mathematical model.

Rats were injected i.v. with 3H-etorphine (200 ng/Kg). At least 85% of the dose was cleared from the blood in the first 2 min. Blood levels continued to fall slowly from about 5% of the administered dose after 15 min to less than 2% after 3 hours. Although more than 15% of the dose was found in the liver and kidney after 15 min, labeled material did not further accumulate in these organs, but decreased to about 3% after 3 hours. The concentration of labeled material (dpm/mg tissue) in cerebellum was less than half that attained in other brain regions at early time points, probably reflecting the low number of opiate receptors in this region. After 2 hours, however, there was little difference between cerebellum and other brain regions. The highest brain concentrations observed were at the earliest time point examined (7 min). An open four compartment kinetic model was constructed to fit the data for etorphine concentrations in (i) plasma, (ii) cerebellum, and (iii) brain (excluding cerebellum). The model has 3 spatial compartments: plasma, brain, and all tissues other than brain. Etorphine in brain occupies either of 2 functional compartments: one representing receptor-bound ligand and the other, the sum of free and nonspecifically bound ligand. The dissociation rate constant for etorphine in vivo obtained by fitting model equations to data was 0.06 min-1, similar to that obtained in vitro in the presence of 150 mM sodium ion.